Current weather

Art at River's Edge: Never give up on your dreams

Here I am, looking out the window at spring flowers just peeking out their heads. Already, the area is looking beautiful with lots of spring blooms. My dogwood trees are in bloom as were the cutest little trees along West Avenue with little lavender flowers. I took photos of them last spring with the plans to go and find out what type of tree they are, but life got in the way of my art.

As an untrained artist, I have not sat out on sites and painted as many artists do. I learned to take photos of things I hope to paint. I do, however, keep a sketch book and some pencils in the car or my purse. I try and make detailed notes if I don’t have the camera with me as to the color, time of day, where the sunshine was coming from and shade in where the shadows were. I always take my little travel bag with water colors and basic supplies whenever I travel, even if it is just for a night.

I started out in watercolors as usual in grade school. It was all I could afford in high school. One year I was able to take an art class. The teacher required the students to furnish any supplies other than watercolors and pen and ink. So I stayed in watercolors as they were cheap and that little tin box could go anywhere I went.

While living in Italy, I got the chance to work with some local artists, and they introduced me to oils. I loved them but found when I returned state side they were too costly.

So my art was set aside for a number of years while I ran my business and raised my four children. I knew someday I would start to paint again.

After moving to North Augusta, becoming involved with the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council and founding the NAAG, I expanded into acrylics and inks. I finally started watercolor classes in 2010 and fell in love with them once again thanks to Jim Gensheer (now of New Mexico )and Thomas Needham, an NAAG member.

The point of this column is “one should always shoot for the sky when you love something”.

Never let your dream go, even if it takes until you are a senior citizen when it finally happens. If you ever wanted to draw, paint, sculpt, work in clay, fabric, glass or take photos, you have a group of local artists who will help you reach your goal in the North Augusta Artists Guild. Come check us out at the North Augusta Community Center the first Tuesday each month at 7 p.m.

La Petite Gallerie in Hammond’s Ferry will have a reception from 6-9 p.m. April 26 and will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 27 featuring Mosaic artist Renee Beasley, jewelry by Origami Owl-Erica Cooper, and the Thursday Painters: watercolorists Kaye Powell Ward, Kay Kitchens, Renee Howell and Wendy Cunico.

Don’t forget the Living History Park’s Olde Towne Artisans Fair Friday through Sunday and the city of North Augusta’s Earth Day at Brick Pond Park April 27 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Arts and Heritage Center will be open to the public during Earth Day.

Remember to stop in and see the Artists of the Month at the Beveled Edge, North Augusta Family Y, Jim Bush Flowers, Great North Augusta Chamber of Commerce office, the Arts and Heritage center, Special Effects Hair Studio, Men’s Refinery Barber Shop, Quality Printing and the Artist Spotlight feature in North Augusta Today.